Laughter and reflection at Cinnaminson graduation

Thursday

CINNAMINSON — Students and staff alike looked toward the future at Wednesday night’s graduation, but not without considering where they have been.

Cinnaminson High School Principal Darlene Llewellyn teased the students about their tendency to procrastinate, deciding just before the deadline to attend events like the senior class trip or prom, or clinching a pep rally victory at the last minute. After parents’ laughter died down, Llewellyn continued — joking aside.

“But the truth is, I’ve seen another side of this class, one that has been truly inspiring for future classes,” Llewellyn said. “Deep down, they are fiercely competitive, spirited, extremely talented, and more importantly, super-supportive of each other and their accomplishments.”

As students reflected on the past, they remembered the support.

Valedictorian Vincent DeLuca recalled his early days at Cinnaminson, carrying not just what he needed for his new high school classes, but also every textbook and supply he had. One day, he dropped all he was carrying in the stairwell between classes.

“To my surprise, nobody ridiculed me in any way,” Vincent said. “On the contrary, I watched as one upperclassman stopped and said ‘Yo, help this kid.’”

After a pause so his classmates could finish laughing at the story’s seemingly unlikely end, Vincent went on, but more seriously. He spoke of the challenges the class had weathered together, and the memories they made at school events.

“Our grade … has had a profound impact on the school that cannot be measured,” he said.

In recognition of their work, the class of 2018 earned more than $26 million in scholarships over the last four years, according to Llewellyn. Wednesday’s program listed honors and awards for everything from academics and athletics, to selflessness and volunteerism.

The new graduates will carry their skills and passions with them in to next phase of their lives, said class President Justin Arnold.

“Today marks the first step of our experience of moving on, discovering new paths, and creating our future,” he said. “Each of us has special talents, abilities and qualities that make us unique, and from this moment forward we have to harness these talents to move on to the next step. While graduating high school is an enormous step in itself, our work is nowhere near being done.”

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